The hygienic efficacy of hand drying includes drying efficiency, the effective removal of bacteria, and the prevention of cross-contamination. From a hygiene viewpoint, paper towels are superior to electric air dryers.
Using just one paper towel is better than using a standard electric hand dryer or cotton towels and can be better than some high-speed hand dryers depending on dry time and how carbon intense the local energy source is. There are lots of options on the market for recycled-content paper towels.
Single-use towels offer the most hygienic way to reduce the risk of the transmission of viruses when drying hands in the washroom. New independent research has found that single-use paper towels are the most effective way to dry one's hands in the washroom and reduce the risk of the transmission of viruses.
Sponge cloths have been used in Swedish kitchens for more than 60 years. Made of cellulose (wood pulp) and cotton, they are reusable, biodegradable, and even compostable. They can absorb up to twenty times their weight in liquid, and one cloth will replace seventeen rolls of paper towel.
They found that drying hands with paper towels was the best means of removing bacteria from the hands, particularly from fingertips.
Eco-friendly alternatives to traditional paper towels include recycled and bamboo paper towels, flannel cloths, Swedish dish towels, huck towels, flour sack towels, and microfiber and wood fiber cloths, aimed at reducing waste and environmental impact.
Studies have shown that paper towels can efficiently dry hands, effectively eliminate bacteria, and cause less contamination in a public washroom. While those people who just do a cursory drying and shake off any excess moisture or use an electric hand dryer can actually be spreading bacteria.
handrubs, particularly those that contain an emollient, are less drying to your skin than plain soap and water, or antimicrobial soap and water.
Dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian says, “It's really personal preference, but from a dermatologist's point of view, using bare hands or a soft cloth or flannel is best. Ensure the cloth is washed and fully dried after each use.
Keep in mind that bathroom hand towels aren't meant to last a lifetime. “Our telltale sign a towel needs to be replaced is that musty smell or when it has lost its fluffy, absorbent qualities. High-quality towels should last one to two years, depending on usage and proper care,” says Eichholz.
The average human hand houses 150 different kinds of bacteria. There are typically between 10,000 and 10 million bacteria on each of your hands. Most germs can survive on your hands for three hours. Besides coughing and sneezing, door handles are the most likely way that cold viruses spread.
Additionally, air hand dryers may not effectively dry hands, leaving them damp and more susceptible to bacterial growth and cross-contamination. This can contribute to an unhygienic washroom environment. Finally, air hand dryers are a slow way to dry hands compared to paper towels.
The one towel hand drying method was perfected and popularized by “proper paper towel use” advocate and former District Attorney in Umatilla County, Oregon, Joe Smith. It's a simple concept that will leave you the most empowered and eco-friendly occupant of any public bathroom.
The Verdict. It's clear that dish rags can be a surefire way to collect germs. However, disposable options like paper towels and disinfecting wipes contribute to the loss of nature, fill landfills, and have a high yearly cost.
The overall conclusion from a variety of studies is that hand dryers disperse bacteria in a much higher range compared to the use of paper towels. This may cause cross-contamination to the environment or the restroom visitors.
Using soap to wash hands is more effective than using water alone because the surfactants in soap lift soil and microbes from skin, and people tend to scrub hands more thoroughly when using soap, which further removes germs.
CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water whenever possible because handwashing reduces the amounts of all types of germs and chemicals on hands. If soap and water are not available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.
The fastest, most hygienic hand dryer is the Dyson Airblade™. The hand dryer filters the air before it reaches the hands. In just 10 seconds the water is removed from your hands by a 'blade of air'. Furthermore, the Airblade™ hand dryer is cheaper than conventional hand dryers.
A study in The American Journal of Infection Control shows that paper towels can actually pick up bacteria during the manufacturing process. The findings also concluded that the bleaching process for recycled paper does not significantly reduce the concentration of bacteria.
Okeke-Igbokwe says that using a paper towel after you wash your hands is the preferred way to dry your hands to prevent the spread of bacteria. However using a hand dryer or a drying hands with paper towels is still preferable to letting your hands air dry or rubbing them on your clothes.
Traditional paper towels contribute to deforestation, and aren't recyclable because the fibers are too short and small to be useful, so they just end up in a landfill.